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Purdue makes big investment in animal science

Purdue University is making a big investment into the future of its animal science department.  On Friday the University broke ground for two buildings that will provide faculty, staff, and students with the latest technology needed for innovation and education in animal sciences and research.

Dean of Agriculture Jay Akridge calls the buildings world class facilities for students to do world class work that the agriculture industry needs.  “It’s a place where students will come to study and enter the workforce,” he says.  “A place where state of the art research is going to happen and a contemporary facility to support that work.”

Purdue Dean of Agriculture Jay Akridge

Purdue president Mitch Daniels says this was an easy project for the board to support.  “We are making investments into things that we think Purdue does extraordinarily well and that can make the biggest contributions to the world of tomorrow,” he says.

Purdue University president Mitch Daniels

Five million-dollar gifts were made by Warsaw, Ind. based egg producer Creighton Brothers and food and agriculture business Land O’Lakes. 

Second generation family owner Eddie Creighton says the company’s donation was to honor the two men that had the vision to make their dream a reality.  “And I say that in comparison to the facility that we’re celebrating today, it was a vision and a dream that today is starting to turn into a reality,” he says.

The nearly 90,000 square foot Hobart and Russell Creighton Hall of Animal Sciences will be the new home for the Department of Animal Sciences and house research laboratories, classrooms for interactive and team-based learning, and open spaces to facilitate faculty and student interactions.  It will also have offices for scientist with the US Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Services Livestock Behavior Unit and staff of Indiana’s animal regulatory agencies.

Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes says his company recognizes the need for the next generation of talent needed to feed a growing world population.  “It symbolizes bringing our best and brightest talent to not the challenge but the opportunity to produce a lot more food in a lot more productive and sustainable ways,” he says.

The Land O’Lakes Center for Experiential Learning will support research and teaching space in the area of meat and protein sciences.  The adjoining Purina Pavilion will host teaching, Extension, and youth-based events on livestock care and handling and evaluation.

The buildings are scheduled to open in 2017.